Five Hamilton police officers are facing criminal charges for allegedly writing 32 falsified tickets as members of the high-profile ACTION unit.
It's alleged the tickets named 18 people who had no idea they were victims.
All seven have now been suspended with pay and could still face Police Services Act disciplinary charges, which are being investigated by a separate group of officers.
At a news conference announcing the charges Tuesday night, police Chief Glenn De Caire said the service took the investigation very seriously and he's confident detectives have looked at all of the evidence.
"We have followed the evidence and we have followed the law," he said.
The investigation began after a Hamilton police officer found provincial offence notice books in a box destined for the shredder on Sept. 30, 2014. The booklets had the fill-out paper that is supposed to go to the offender still attached.
It's alleged the officers made up the tickets, submitting them in court and for police statistics. It's also believed many of the victims were known vulnerable people the ACTION officers came across downtown.
De Caire said police have met with some of the victims and all 32 tickets will be withdrawn.
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Five ACTION officers charged in fake ticket probe
It's alleged the tickets named 18 people who had no idea they were victims.
All seven have now been suspended with pay and could still face Police Services Act disciplinary charges, which are being investigated by a separate group of officers.
At a news conference announcing the charges Tuesday night, police Chief Glenn De Caire said the service took the investigation very seriously and he's confident detectives have looked at all of the evidence.
"We have followed the evidence and we have followed the law," he said.
The investigation began after a Hamilton police officer found provincial offence notice books in a box destined for the shredder on Sept. 30, 2014. The booklets had the fill-out paper that is supposed to go to the offender still attached.
It's alleged the officers made up the tickets, submitting them in court and for police statistics. It's also believed many of the victims were known vulnerable people the ACTION officers came across downtown.
De Caire said police have met with some of the victims and all 32 tickets will be withdrawn.
more
Five ACTION officers charged in fake ticket probe
